Nut and tool

ABSTRACT

A nut, including a first female thread for threading a bolt thereinto, a head surrounding the first female thread, for holding the first female thread, for allowing rotating the bolt in relation to the first female thread; and a first male thread, for threading the nut through a plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/125,168, filed Sep. 11, 2016, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of building construction. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for fixingan object to a building structure.

BACKGROUND

In various cases, objects, such as plates or profiles of drywallconstruction, are fixed to building construction, such as to theceiling, in a distance from the building construction.

The adjustment of the plate to the building construction typicallyapplies two nuts, each at another side of the plate.

This fixing is disadvantaged in that one of the nuts is disposed behindthe plate.

The method described above has not yet provided satisfactory solutionsto the long felt need for convenient fixing of objects at a distancefrom the building structure.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided forconvenient fixing of objects at a distance from the building structure.

In one aspect of the invention, a nut is provided, including:

-   -   a first female thread;    -   a head surrounding the first female thread; and    -   a male thread.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention are described hereinin conjunction with the following drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art self-threading nut and a plate into which thenut is threaded.

FIG. 2 depicts a self-threading nut according to one embodiment of theinvention, and a plate into which the nut is threaded.

FIG. 3 depicts a nut, according to one embodiment of the invention, anda metal profile for fixing the screw thereinto.

FIG. 4 depicts the first, second and third step, for fixing of theprofile of FIG. 3 to a wall or to a ceiling by the nut of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts the fourth step of adjusting of the distance of theprofile of FIG. 3 to the wall or ceiling of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 depicts a tool for rotating the long bolt, and for laterreleasing the long bolt from the tool.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the tool of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an assembled view of the tool of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 7, including thenut and bolt of FIG. 3.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn toscale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be understood from the following detailed descriptionof embodiments which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. Forthe sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems,procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described indetail.

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art self-threading nut and a plate into which thenut is threaded.

The term “self-tapping thread” refers herein to a thread having awidening perimeter, for producing a thread in a substance by rotation ofthe thread in relation to the substance.

The term “self-tapping nut” refers herein to a nut having a self-tappingthread.

A prior art self-tapping nut includes a self-tapping thread, in whichexcept for the external binding 44A, the widths 80 of all the bindings,including the internal binding 44D and the central bindings 44B aresubstantially equal; and the width 92 of each gap 86 between thebindings is substantially equal to the width 80 of the bindings.

The internal binding 44D reaches the surface 38 of head 52.

Upon insertion of the self-tapping thread into a pre-fitted hole 54(shown in FIG. 3) of a plate 18 having a thickness 84, substantiallyequal to width 92 of gap 86, the external binding 44A produces a localbending 88, which enlarges further by the central bindings 44B.

Bending 88 inserts into gap 86 between the bindings (44A, 44B, 44D), andleads the threading, either to close the nut until the last binding 44Dcontacts surface 38 or a washer, or to open the thread.

FIG. 2 depicts a self-threading nut according to one embodiment of theinvention, and a plate into which the nut is threaded.

The perimeter of external binding 44A of nut 10 is small, and increasestowards internal binding 44C, similar to self-tapping threads.

In contrast to conventional self-tapping threads, the internal binding44C of the self-tapping thread 36 of a nut 10 according to theinvention, does not reach the surface 38 of head 52. There is no end toself-tapping thread 36, i.e., there is a space 48, along the entirewidth of the thread, between the internal binding 44C of self-tappingthread 36 and surface 38 of head 52.

Production of space 48 forms the internal binding 44C of nut 10 to bethinner than that of bindings 44B.

Upon insertion of self-tapping thread 36 into the pre-fitted hole 54(shown in FIG. 3) of plate 18 having the thickness 84, substantially ofthe gap 86, the external binding 44A produces the local bending 88 ofplate 18, which enlarges further by the central bindings 44B.

Bending 88 of plate 18 inserts into gap 86 between the bindings (44A,44B, 44C), and leads the threading, to provide linear motion of closingnut 10. Once bending 88 reaches space 48, the linear movement ceases.

Since the internal binding 44C is relatively thin, upon further closingof nut 10, bending 88 of plate 18 bends the end 90 of the internalbinding 44C. Thus, the internal binding 44C no longer leads bending 88of plate 18 within gap 86, even upon rotating nut 10 to be opened.

Thus, nut 10 is rotatable in relation to plate 18, even though nut 10 isnot releasable from profile 18.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the nut of FIG. 2, and the metal plateor profile for fixing the screw thereinto, and a bolt.

Nut 10 preferably includes an elastic washer 46, disposed in the space48 between the internal binding 44C of self-tapping thread 36 andsurface 38 of head 52. Elastic washer 46 is intended for limitingmovement between the self-tapping thread 36 and plate/object 18 uponcompleting the threading therebetween. The limiting of the movementavoids vibrations.

Nut 10 includes a female thread 34 for threading thereinto a bolt 14having a male thread 66 fitting thereto; head 52 including a pluralityof surfaces 50, such as hex surfaces for rotating nut 10; and theself-tapping thread 36, for producing bending 88, depicted in FIGS. 1and 2, in the pre-fitted hole 54 of plate or profile 18.

Self-tapping thread 36 is hollow and includes female thread 34 allowinginserting bolt 14 therethrough, as depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 depicts the first, second and third step, for fixing of theprofile of FIG. 3 to a wall or to a ceiling by the nut of FIG. 3.

At the first step, the installer fixes nut 10 to profile 18. Asexplained in FIG. 3, nut 10 is free to rotate in relation to profile 18,even though nut 10 is conventionally not releasable from profile 18.

At the second step, the installer fixes a wall plug 16 to the ceiling 20or wall or other building structure.

At the third step, the installer screws thread 66 (depicted in FIG. 3)of bolt 14 into female thread 34 (depicted in FIG. 3) of nut 10 inrelation to nut 10. While threading bolt 14 into nut 10, head 52 of nut10 is to be held by a spanner 56. Typically, washer 46 may be sufficientfor not requiring spanner 56 for not allowing rotation of nut 10 thiscase. The installer further rotates bolt 14 into wall plug 16 untilbeing fixed thereto.

At the end of the third step, bolt 14 does not allow changing thedistance 40 between wall or ceiling 20 and profile 18, since bolt 14 isnot any more rotatable.

FIG. 5 depicts the fourth step of adjusting of the distance of theprofile to the wall or ceiling of FIG. 4.

At the fourth step, the installer rotates nut 10 in relation to bolt 14(which is not any more rotatable), for adjusting the distance of profile18 to ceiling 20.

At the fifth step, the installer may remove the screw driver from bolt14, and may cut the remainder of bolt 14.

FIG. 6 depicts a tool for rotating the long bolt, and for laterreleasing the long bolt from the tool.

A one-directional rotating tool 60 may grip bolt 14, upon rotating bolt14, through the one-directional rotating tool 60, towards the ceiling;and may release bolt 14 upon “attempting” to rotate bolt, through theone-directional rotating tool 60, to the opposite direction. An electricscrew driver 78 may rotate the bottom element 28 of one-directionalrotating tool 60 via a hex element 30 of bottom element 28.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the tool of FIG. 6.

A male thread 72 of hex element 30 is permanently fixed to a femalethread 74 of the bottom element 28.

Upon rotating hex element 30 to the closing direction depicted by arrow64, the male thread 66 of bolt 14 is inserted into a female thread 62 ofthe top element 22 of tool 60.

Male thread 66 of bolt 14 and female thread 62 of the top element 22 ofgripping tool 60 are tightened one towards the other by a tighteningelement 32, being pressed by the bottom element 28.

Rotation of the bottom element 28 rotates a male thread 42 thereof intoa female thread 68 of the top element 22.

This rotation of the bottom element 28 also presses the central element32, named above the “tightening element”.

Central element 32 presses male thread 66 of bolt 14 outside from femalethread 62 of the top element 22 of tool 60, thereby providing frictiontherebetween, thus making the separation between them difficult.

In addition to this difficulty, upon rotating hex element 30 opposite toarrow 64, male thread 42 opens in relation to female thread 68 thereofbefore male thread 66 of bolt 14 opens in relation to female thread 62of top element 22; this, since the pace 70 of threads 42 and 68 issignificantly larger than the pace of threads 66 and 62.

Thus, threads 68 and 42 have an easier opening extent, since threads 42and 68 have smaller friction length and area therebetween than thefriction length and area of threads 66 and 62. Thus, threads 42 and 68open, one from the other, by a smaller pressure than any other thread inthe system, and therefore it opens first.

FIG. 8 is an assembled view of the tool of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 7, including thenut and the bolt of FIG. 3.

The opening of thread 42 of the bottom element 28 from thread 68 of thetop element 22 does not separate the bottom element 28 from the topelement 22, due to a protrusion 24 of the bottom element 28 and aprotrusion 26 of the top element 22, being blocked one by the other.

The opening of thread 42 of the bottom element 28 from thread 68 of thetop element 22 releases the tightening of male thread 66 of bolt 14towards female thread 62 of the top element 22 by central element 32,thus releasing bolt 14.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a nut (10), including:

-   -   a first female thread (34) for threading a bolt (14) thereinto;    -   a head (52) surrounding the first female thread (34), for        holding the first female thread (34), for allowing rotating the        bolt (14) in relation to the first female thread (34); and    -   a first male thread (36), for threading the nut (10) through a        plate (18), wherein the first male thread (36) includes:

a) the first female thread (34) for threading the bolt (14)therethrough, thereby allowing connecting the nut (10) to the plate (18)and then moving the bolt (14) in relation to the plate (18) either byrotating the bolt (14) in relation to the nut (10), or by rotating thenut (10) in relation to the plate (18);

b) a space (48) disposed between the end (90) of the internal binding(44C) of the first male thread (36) and an adjacent surface (38) of thenut (10), the space (48) being substantially larger than the thickness(84) of the plate (18), for allowing the space (48) to rotate inrelation to the plate (18) without linear pacing in relation to theplate (18) upon completing the threading therebetween; and

c) a perimeter being small at an external binding (44A) of the firstmale thread (36) and increasing towards the space (48) of the first malethread (36), thereby the internal binding (44E) and the space (48)having the increased perimeter, increase the peripheral pressure appliedonto the plate (18) at the space (48) of the nut (10) at the rotationtherebetween lacking the linear pacing,

thereby allowing fixing the plate (18) to a building structure (20) atan adjustable distance (40).

The nut (10) may further include:

-   -   an elastic washer (46), disposed in the space (48), for limiting        movement between the first male thread (36) and the plate (18)        upon completing the threading therebetween.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a tool (60)

for rotating a bolt (14) threaded into a nut (10) upon rotating to aclosing direction (64), and

for releasing the bolt (14) therefrom upon rotating to an openingdirection,

the tool (60) including:

-   -   a second female thread (62), for threading a second male thread        (66) of the bolt (14) thereinto; and    -   a tightening element (32) pressing the second male thread (66)        outside from the second female thread (62),

thereby providing friction therebetween,

wherein the nut (10) includes:

-   -   a first female thread (34) for threading the bolt (14)        thereinto;    -   a head (52) surrounding the first female thread (34), for        holding the first female thread (34), for allowing rotating the        bolt (14) in relation to the first female thread (34); and    -   a first male thread (36), for threading the nut (10) through an        plate (18), the first male thread (36) characterized in not        providing linear pacing in relation to the plate (18) upon        rotation therebetween upon completing the threading        therebetween,

wherein the first male thread (36) includes the first female thread (34)for threading the bolt (14) therethrough,

thereby allowing connecting the nut (10) to the plate (18) and thenmoving the bolt (14) in relation to the plate (18) either by rotatingthe bolt (14) in relation to the nut (10), or by rotating the nut (10)in relation to the plate (18).

The tool (60) may further include:

-   -   a male thread (42), for pressing the tightening element (32);        and    -   a second female thread (68) fitting to the male thread (42),        wherein paces (70) of the male (42) and second female (68)        threads are significantly greater than a pace of the second male        thread (66) of the bolt (14),

thereby opening the male thread (42) from the second female thread (68)for releasing the tightening element (32), before opening the bolt (14).

In the figures and/or description herein, the following referencenumerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned:

-   -   numeral 10 denotes a nut, according to one embodiment of the        invention;    -   numeral 12 denotes a prior art self-threading nut;    -   numeral 14 denotes an elongated bolt;    -   numeral 16 denotes a wall plug;    -   numeral 18 denotes a metal profile or a plate or another object,        to be hung to a building structure;    -   numeral 20 denotes the ceiling or wall or other building        structure, for fixing the object thereto;

numeral 22 denotes the top element of the gripping tool; the terms “top”and “bottom” refer to hanging the profile on the ceiling, being at thetop;

-   -   numeral 24 denotes a protrusion of the bottom element;    -   numeral 26 denotes a protrusion of the top element;    -   numeral 28 denotes the bottom element of the gripping tool;    -   numeral 30 denotes a hex element;    -   numeral 32 denotes the central element of the gripping element;    -   numeral 34 denotes a female thread in the nut;    -   numeral 36 denotes a self-tapping thread;    -   numeral 38 denotes a surface of the head of the nut;    -   numeral 40 denotes the distance between the profile and the        ceiling;    -   numeral 42 denotes a male thread;    -   numeral 44A denotes the first binding, being the external        binding, of the self-tapping thread;    -   numeral 44B denotes the bindings except for the external and the        internal bindings of the self-tapping thread;    -   numeral 44C denotes the internal binding of the self-tapping        thread;    -   numeral 46 denotes a washer, which may be of silicon, for        increasing the friction;    -   numeral 48 denotes a space between the internal binding of the        self-tapping thread of a nut and a surface of the nut;    -   numeral 50 denotes a surface of the head of the nut;    -   numeral 52 denotes the head of the nut;    -   numeral 54 denotes a hole in a plate, perimeter thereof fitted        to the self-tapping thread;    -   numeral 56 denotes a spanner;    -   numeral 58 denotes a bearing;    -   numeral 60 denotes a gripping tool;    -   numeral 62 denotes a female thread;    -   numeral 64 denotes an arrow;    -   numeral 66 denotes a male thread of the bolt;    -   numeral 68 denotes a female thread;    -   numeral 70 denotes the pace of the thread;    -   numeral 72 denotes a male thread;    -   numeral 74 denotes a female thread;    -   numeral 78 denotes a screw driver;    -   numeral 80 denotes the width of a binding;    -   numeral 84 denotes the thickness of the metal profile or the        plate or the other object, to be hung to the building structure;    -   numeral 86 denotes the gap between the bindings of the thread;    -   numeral 88 denotes a local bending in the hole in the plate;    -   numeral 90 denotes the end of the internal binding; and    -   numeral 92 denotes the width of the gap between the bindings of        the thread.

In the description herein, the following references have been mentioned:

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of theinvention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the abovedescription in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should tobe interpreted according to this definition.

The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, butrather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These referencenumbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nut, comprising: a first female thread forthreading a bolt thereinto; a head surrounding said first female thread,for holding said first female thread, for allowing rotating the bolt inrelation to said first female thread; and a first male thread, forthreading said nut through an object, wherein said first male threadcomprises: a) said first female thread for threading the bolttherethrough, thereby allowing connecting said nut to the object andthen moving the bolt in relation to the object either by rotating thebolt in relation to said nut, or by rotating said nut in relation to theobject; b) a space disposed between an end of an internal binding ofsaid first male thread and an adjacent surface of said nut, said spacebeing substantially larger than a thickness of the object, for allowingsaid space to rotate in relation to said object without linear pacing inrelation to the object upon completing the threading therebetween; andc) a perimeter being small at an external binding of said first malethread and increasing towards said space of said first male thread,thereby increasing peripheral pressure applied by said first male threadat said space on said object at said rotation therebetween lacking saidlinear pacing, thereby allowing fixing the object to a buildingstructure at an adjustable distance.
 2. A nut according to claim 1,further comprising an elastic washer, disposed in said space, forlimiting movement between said first male thread and the object uponcompleting the threading therebetween.
 3. A tool for rotating a boltthreaded into a nut upon rotating to a closing direction, and forreleasing the bolt therefrom upon rotating to an opening direction, saidtool comprising: a second female thread, for threading a second malethread of the bolt thereinto; and a tightening element pressing saidsecond male thread outside from said second female thread, therebyproviding friction therebetween, wherein said nut comprises: a firstfemale thread for threading the bolt thereinto; a head surrounding saidfirst female thread, for holding said first female thread, for allowingrotating the bolt in relation to said first female thread; and a firstmale thread, for threading said nut through an object, said first malethread characterized in not providing linear pacing in relation to theobject upon rotation therebetween upon completing the threadingtherebetween, wherein said first male thread comprises said first femalethread for threading the bolt therethrough, thereby allowing connectingsaid nut to the object and then moving the bolt in relation to theobject either by rotating the bolt in relation to said nut, or byrotating said nut in relation to the object.
 4. A tool according toclaim 3 further comprising: a male thread, for pressing said tighteningelement; and a second female thread fitting to said male thread, whereinpaces of said male and second female threads are significantly greaterthan a pace of said second male thread of the bolt, thereby opening saidmale thread from said second female thread for releasing said tighteningelement, before opening the bolt.